Bagasse-juice extractor



(N0 Model.)

P. M. .LAPIUE. BAGASSE JUICE EXTRAOTOR, DESIGGATOR, AND FINISHBR. No. 251,057. Patented Dec. 20,1881.

WI JEE'I ES. IHVrLH- -QF 4 WM r m ATTWJEY N. PETERS. Phololiliwgnphnr. Washington D. c.

UNITED STATES l ATENT ,GFFICE;

PETER M. LAPICE, OF LAUDERDALE PLANTATION, LOUISIANA.

BAGASSE-JUICE EXTRACTOR, DESICCATOR, AND FINISHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 251,057, dated December 20, 1881.

Application filed October 13, 1880. (N model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, PETER M. LAPICE, a resident of Lauderdale Plantation, parish of St. James, and State of Louisiana, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in'Bagasse-Juice Extractor, Desiccator, and Finisher; and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and correct description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawing, making a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements whereby a greater amount ofjuice is obtained from a given quantity of cane than heretofore attainable. The bagasse, moreover, is left in a perfectly dry condition, so thatit may be readily burned in an ordinary furnace, or be converted into paper-stock, or, by mixing with -it the skimmings from the kettles or pans, be

used both as a filtering medium for the juice, food for cattle, or as manure.

The process or method involved in this invention consists in feeding the bagasse from the sugarhouse through a chute into a pressbox, and conducting the skimmings from the sugar pans or kettles and feeding the same through another chute into the press-box containing the bagasse, then conveying the filled press-box to a suitable press and subjecting the contents to pressure to extract whatever juice is contained in the bagasse and skimmings, and baling the bagasse for the further desired use.

My invention dispenses with the expensive bagasse burners and carriers leading thereto; and it consists in conveying the crushed canes from the mill, as will hereinafter be described, to a hydraulic or other suitable press, where thejuice remaining therein is expressed.

To fully understand the nature of my invention, attention is invited to the accompanying drawing, whereon the figure represents the exterior of a portion of a sugarhouse with bagasse-chute A (in lieu of the ordinary carrier) projecting outward through an openingin the wall thereof.

A circular or endless railwayis constructed outside of the building, as at B, so that the trucks, 0, placed thereon may be successively run under the lower end of the chute.

.Each truck has constructed thereupon a box, D, one side, E, of which is removable, and the lower part of the opposite side hinged, as atf.

Near the bottom of the box D a series of horizontal rollers, a, are journaled, and on these is placed a platen, G, having a perforated bottom and grooved rails, the former to carry off the juice and the latter to afford a means whereby bands or wire may be passed when it is desired to secure the bagasse in bales.

A press (not shown in the drawing, as any form or kind may be used) is erected at one side of the railway, so that the boxes may be run to the front thereof.

Before filling, each box is provided with a bag, I), the size of its interior, so that by removing the back of the box and raising its hinged portion the platen, withits load of bagasse, may be pushed under the press, after reaching the front of the same.

Suitable tanks or pits should be constructed at the base of the press to collect the juice from the bagasse, the said juice to be afterward transferred to the juice boxes or kettles by pumps, or by any other desirable means.

The skimmings from the kettles or other receptacle and the deposits from the j nice-boxes are conveyed by the chute H to the receivingboxes, and deposited, with the bagasse, therein. The bagasse acts asa filter, through which the juice from the skimmings, &c., are extracted by the action of the press.-

The chutes A and H are each furnished with gates, as at c d, to regulate or stop the flow through the same.

To dissolve the partially-formed crystals remaining in the bagasse, a small quantity of steam can be discharged into the same as it is passing into the box.

The rails may extend through a number of plantations, and thus provide for the bringing of the bagasse from the same to one given point.

Having described my invention, whatIclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The improved method herein described forextracting juice from bagasse by desiccat ing the latter, substantially as set forth. 7

2. The combination, with a sugar house or building having two chutes for conducting and for the passage of wires or ropes to tie the bale feeding bagasse and skimmings, of a pressafter compression. box or receptacle to receive the same, and said box having a perforated false bottom for the LAPIOE' 5 escape of the juice, substantially as described. Witnesses:

3. A mounted box or receptacle for bagasse, J. G. HUB'BELL, having a perforated false bottom with grooves P. J. FINNEY. 

